A family member shared the sad news via Instagram. My great uncle Angelo Badalamenti has transcended the next level of existence – he wrote. He has been a true musical and artistic inspiration to me and countless others. He remained true to his roots and family, never leaving New Jersey for Los Angeles. Not to mention the usual but brain-wracking stories of his life that never ended. Many will miss him.
Who is Angelo Badalamenti?
Angelo Badalamenti was born on March 22, 1937, in New York City. He started piano lessons at the age of eight. In his teens, he worked as a musician, accompanying singers at resorts in the Catskill Mountains. He wrote his first screenplays – about “Gordon’s War” and “Law and Disorder” – in the first half of the 70s. In 1986, he began collaborating with David Lynch.
David Lynch, Julie Cruz and Angelo Badalamenti, 1989
As Lynch’s composer, he has signed, among others, such films as “Blue Velvet”, “Wild at Heart”, “Lost Highway”, “Mulholland Drive” or “The Straight Story”. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the latter two. His most famous score is that of the series “Twin Peaks” and its prequel – the movie “Fire Follow Me”. His work on the series has earned him three Emmy Award nominations.
He worked with the most famous artists – among them David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Nina Simone, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson. In 1992 he composed the anthem of the Barcelona Olympics. In his work he mixed various tools, styles and genres. He has written compositions for Orbital, thrash metal band Anthrax, as well as for Marianne Faithfull. Musical eclecticism accompanied him until the end of his career – his last film, “Bratnie niedze”, signed under his own name two years ago.
“Soulmates” – Watch the trailer for the latest film, with music by Angelo Badalamenti
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